Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori Visits the French Republic

1. G7 Digital and Technology Ministers' Meeting

On Friday, May 29, the G7 Digital and Technology Ministers' Meeting was held in Paris, France, which holds the G7 presidency this year. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori, Ms. Horiuchi Noriko, State Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, and Mr. Tomiyasu Taiichiro, Vice-Minister for Digital Policy of the Digital Agency, participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, the G7 member countries engaged in lively discussions on topics such as (1) promoting secure AI, (2) boosting AI adoption for economic growth, (3) ensuring resilience and resource efficiency of the digital sector, and (4) fostering a safer and more secure digital space for minors online.

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori emphasized the importance of opening up AI models from the perspective of accelerating the development of new models and services by AI developers and their introduction into industry, and making technology a driving force for economic growth. In addition, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori shared information that AI transformation (AX) for SMEs is essential for the growth of the Japanese economy as a whole, and that METI has strengthened its accompanying support system for productivity improvement, including the adoption of AI, starting this year.

Furthermore, amid expectations of a rapid increase in data center power consumption due to the expanding use of AI, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori highlighted the concept of Watt-Bit Collaboration. This initiative aims to encourage the development of data centers in regions suitable for decarbonized power sources and power infrastructure, while developing telecommunication infrastructure in a commensurate manner to improve energy and resource efficiency. He also shared information regarding Japan's regulations on improving data center energy efficiency, which were strengthened this April. Moreover, he shared information that Japan is promoting the Ouranos Ecosystem, an initiative to share and utilize data among companies, from the perspective of promoting a resource-recycling economy and strengthening supply chains.

As an outcome of the meeting, the G7 Ministerial Declaration on Digital & Technology was issued. The key points of the Ministerial Declaration are as follows:

• We stress that digital technologies are a driver of innovation and prosperity in our societies and economies, with profound impact on our lives, particularly affecting the youngest among us.
• Considering that data plays a pivotal role in fostering digital innovation, we reiterate the importance of maintaining trust-based data frameworks based on our commitment to Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT).
• Building on the achievements of previous G7 presidencies, we focused on strengthening the digital economy by reaffirming our commitment to an open, innovation friendly approach to digital environments, with particular emphasis on the following four points. (1) Promoting secure AI With the rapid advancement and large-scale deployment of AI across critical domains, we recognize that there may be design flaws or cybersecurity vulnerabilities, or misuse by malicious actors. We aim to promote the widespread adoption of trustworthy AI by fostering the development and operation of human-centric, secure, and responsible AI, enhancing comprehensive risk assessments and transparency, and strengthening international cooperation frameworks (such as the Hiroshima AI Process). (2) Boosting AI adoption for economic growth By clarifying AI openness, we aim to promote the use of open-source technologies. Furthermore, to maximize the economic growth-stimulating effects of AI, we will particularly support AI adoption by SMEs. In collaboration with the OECD, we developed a tool to help SMEs better understand and assess their knowledge, digital, and AI readiness. (3) Ensuring resilience and resource efficiency of the digital sector In response to the increasing energy and resource consumption accompanying the expansion of digital technologies and AI, we stress the importance of sustainable energy supply, resource management, and grid modernization. Through the sharing of international best practices and policy recommendations, led by the French G7 presidency, the resilience and efficiency of the digital and AI sectors will be enhanced. (4) Fostering a safer and more secure digital space for minors online In order to ensure that minors can use a safe and secure digital space, we support a Common G7 Set of Principles. These principles will lead to common goals regarding our ongoing responses to protect minors against a wide range of risks, such as illegal content and bullying. The French G7 presidency will initiate discussions on building a scientific initiative to strengthen scientific knowledge and evaluation of digital services used by minors.

Related Materials

• G7 Ministerial Declaration on Digital & Technology(PDF:154KB)
• G7 Vision on AI openness opportunities and shared language(PDF:211KB)
• G7 Common Set of Principles defining a safer and more secure digital space for minors(PDF:69KB)

2. Bilateral meetings at the G7 Digital and Technology Ministers' Meeting

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori exchanged views with ministers of participating countries and officials of the OECD on topics such as bilateral cooperation, the promotion of the AI industry, and semiconductor technology.

(1) Exchanging views with H.E. Ms. Anne Le Hénanff, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Economy of the French Republic

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori, together with State Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Horiuchi and Vice-Minister for Digital Policy Tomiyasu, held discussions with Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Economy Anne Le Hénanff on AI policy and confirmed that close cooperation between Japan and France is progressing.

(2) Exchanging views with H.E. Mr. Adolfo Urso, Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy of the Italian Republic

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori, together with State Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Horiuchi, exchanged views with Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso on AI policy and held discussions on cooperative relations going forward.

(3) Exchanging views with H.E. Ms. Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology of the UK

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori, together with State Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Horiuchi, held discussions with Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Liz Kendall on the AI, innovation, and semiconductor sectors and confirmed the cooperation framework between the two countries in the digital sector through the Japan-UK Digital Partnership.

(4) Exchanging views with Mr. Michael J.K. Kratsios, Director of the US White House Office of Science and Technology Policy of the United States of America

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori confirmed with Director of the U.S. White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Michael J.K. Kratsios that they will continue to work closely together on cybersecurity related to high-performance AI and various other areas of cooperation between Japan and the United States.

(5) Exchanging views with Mr. Masaki Yasushi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori, together with State Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Horiuchi, exchanged views with Deputy Secretary-General Masaki Yasushi of the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on the OECD's efforts in the field of AI, the Government of Japan's presence, and expectations for the future.

3. Exchanging views with local businesses related to Japanese food products

To promote the Support Program for 10,000 New Exporters, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori exchanged views with businesses engaged in import and sales in Paris to understand the current situation and challenges in exporting Japanese agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and food products.

(1) Local representatives and locally stationed employees of Japanese companies

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori exchanged views with local representatives and locally stationed employees of trading companies and food manufacturers regarding the local market demand for Japanese food products, sales trends, and challenges in expanding exports from Japan.

(2) Local businesses engaged in importing Japanese food products and promoting Japanese food culture

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori exchanged views with stakeholders involved in the Japanese government's food export expansion efforts, as well as local food industry experts, regarding the current state, challenges, and success stories of Japan's support for expanding food exports and sales channels.

(3) Umami Matcha Café

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori visited Umami Matcha Café, which is operated by a business that imports Japanese food products and distributes them throughout Europe, inspected the store, and exchanged views on needs for Japanese food products, sales trends, and challenges for further import and sales expansion.

(4) Omusubi Gonbei

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori visited the Omusubi Gonbei Paris République store, which sells omusubi (rice balls) made with Japanese rice. He observed the premises and exchanged views on popularizing omusubi in the French market and the challenges involved in future business expansion.

4. Visiting local retailers related to Japanese food products

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komori visited local retailers that handle Japanese food products.

Divisions in Charge

• For the G7 Digital and Technology Ministers' Meeting

  Office of International Affairs, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau

• For the observation of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and food products

  Policy Planning and Coordination Division, Trade Policy Bureau